The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1887-08-20
A DAUGHTER WORTH HAVING

A DAUGHTER WORTH HAVING.
Two gentlemen friends who had been
parted for years met in crowded city
street. The one who lived in the city
was on his way to meet q pressing bust
ness engagement. After few express
sions of delight, he said:
"Well, I'm off. I'm sorry, but it can't
be helped. will look for you tomorrow
at dinner. Remember, two o'clock, sharp.
want you to see my wife and child"
"Only one child?" asked the other.
"Only one," came the answer, tenderly,
ga daughter. But she's darling"
And then they parted; the stranger in
the city getting into the street car bound
for the park.
After block or two, group Of five
girls entered the car; they all evidently
belonged to families Of wealth; they con-
versed we'll. Each carried very elabor-
ately decorated lunch basket; each was
well dressed. They, too, we're going to
the park for picnic. They seemed hap
Ply and amiable until the car again
stopped, this time letting in a pale-faced
girl Of about eleven and sick boy OF
four. These children were shabbily
dressed, and on their faces were looks of
distress. They, too, were on their way
to the park. The gentleman thought 60;
so did the group of girls, for he heard
one of them cay, with look of disdaip
"I suppose those ragamuffins are on
an excursion, too."s
az shouldn't want to leave home il
had to look like that. Would your" This
to another girl"
"No, indeedl But there is no account
ing for tastes. think there ought to be
a special line of cars for the lower
classes"
All this was spoken in low tone, but
the gentleman heard it. Had the child,
too? He glanced at the pale face and
saw tears. He was angry.
just then the exclamation = "Why,
there is Nettie Wonder where she is 60
ing?"-caused him, to look out upon the
corner, where sNeet-faced young girl
stood beckonlng to the GARDINER. When
she entered the car she was warmly greet
ed by the five. and they made room for
her beside them. They we're profuse in
ordinations and questions.
"Where are you going?" asked one.
sob, what lovely flowers Who are
they for?" said another.
"Tm on my way to Belle Clark's. She
is sick, you know, and the flowers are for
her."
She answered both questions at once,
and then, glancing toward the door of
the car, saw the pale girl looking visit
fully at her. She smiled at the child, a
tender look beaming from her beautiful
eyes, and then, forgetting that she wore
a handsome velvet skirt and costly jacket,
and that her shapely hands were covered
with we'll fitted gloves, she left her seat and
crossed over to the little ones. She laid
one hand on the boys thin cheeks as she
asked Of his sister:
" The little boy is sick, is he not? And
he is your brother, am sure"
1t seemed hard for the little girl to an
swer, but finally she said:
"Yes, miss; he is sick. Freddie never
has been well. Yes, miss; he is my broth
or. We're goin' to the park to see il
'twon't make Freddie better"
81 am glad you are going" the young
girl replied in low voice meant for no
ones ears except those of the child. /
think it will do him good; it is lovely
there, with the spring flowers all in bloom.
But where is your lunch? You ought to
have lunch after SO long a ride"
Over the little girls face came a flush.
"Yes, miss; we ought IN, for Freddies
sake; but, you see, we didn't have any
lunch to bring. Tim-he's our brother
he saved these pennies so as Freddie
could ride to the park and back. guess
mebbe, Freddie'n forget about being
hungry when he gets to the park"